NCAA Basketball: Purdue, Marquette rise in latest top 25 power ranking
By Joey Loose
5. Connecticut (6-0)
Last year Connecticut rode Adama Sanogo and the rest of their talent to the national championship. This year’s team is depending more on a few different names. Freshman stud Stephon Castle’s injury is certainly a downer, but these Huskies have shown no signs of slowing down three weeks into the new season.
The Huskies had great success at the Empire Classic, starting with a 77-57 win against Indiana back on Sunday. Tristen Newton had 23 points and 11 rebounds while Cam Spencer scored 18 in the win. The following day they won the championship, beating Texas 81-71, with a 20-point effort out of Alex Karaban. Connecticut was back home later in the week and eased to a 90-60 victory against Manhattan on Friday, getting 18 points from Spencer and a triple-double from Newton, who had 15 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds.
There’s not really much we can complain about these Huskies, who look just as potent in the early going as they did last season. Their outside shooting hasn’t really impressed and the defense hasn’t significantly been challenged yet, but the Huskies have passed the initial challenges and are seeing sophomore jumps from Karaban and Donovan Clingan. That significant challenge comes this week as they’ll travel to Kansas for a huge matchup next Friday.